Knowledge, attitudes and practice survey on Zika virus infection among pregnant women in Brunei Darussalam

Knowledge and Practice Survey on Zika Virus Infection Among General Adults in Brunei Darussalam

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices on Zika virus infection among general adults in Brunei Darussalam. From February to June 2017, 439 adults were interviewed from outpatient health care settings. Most participants were Malays (87.0%) and females (61.5%), with a mean age of 40.7 years. Only 25.1% had a total knowledge score of 15 to 28 points (of a possible score of 0-28). Females and those living in households of <8 people were more likely to have higher total knowledge scores (15-28 points). Media was the preferred source to get updates. Also, 67.4% had a total prevention practice score of 19 to 36 points (of a possible score of 0-36). Those who attained secondary level education or below, had no pregnant women present in their household, and scored 15 to 28 points for knowledge were more likely to have higher prevention practice scores (19-36 points). Knowledge on Zika was significantly associated with prevention practices against mosquito bites and breeding.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of public secondary school teachers on Zika Virus Disease: A basis for the development of evidence-based Zika educational materials for schools in the Philippines

The Philippines is at risk in developing a Zika Virus (ZIKV) Disease Outbreak. One of the possible interventions is health education because students are potential health advocates and influencers to their communities through the knowledge transfers from their teachers. The competency of Filipino teachers on ZIKV Disease is yet to be described. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of public secondary school teachers on ZIKV Disease. A modified version of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Survey Tool on Zika Virus Disease from the World Health Organization—Pan American Health Organization (WHO-PAHO) was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teachers of eight public secondary schools in five villages in Quezon City, Philippines. Out of the 609 respondents, 87.3% reported that their main source of information about ZIKV is tri-media, which includes television, print, and radio. Majority of the respondents mentioned that ZIKV is transmitted through a mosquito bite (80.3%). However, only half of the participants identified vector control as a preventive strategy. Moreover, only 54% admitted to have cleaned their water containers or water sources within the last week. Only a few identified mother-to-child (23%) and sexual intercourse (8%) as other means of transmission. Half (49.8%) of the respondents felt that it is possible to acquire ZIKV in their community, while 90% perceived that a private doctor (90%) or a public hospital (88%) can effectively treat the disease. Perceived stigma is high at 50%. This study showed there was good knowledge among teachers on vector transmission of ZIKV but poor knowledge on other aspects of the disease. Also, there was a low level of perceived susceptibility and severity of ZIKV which can be explained by the absence of a personal encounter with a Zika patient and the low number of cases in the Philippines. Half of the respondents said that they cleaned the possible mosquito breeding sites within the last week, followed by those who cleaned their water source more than a week ago (19%). None of the socio-demographic characteristics is significantly associated with respondents’ knowledge on Zika. Only income and location of residence were found to be significantly associated with attitudes towards Zika. These findings call for a comprehensive training program that includes development of teaching materials for public secondary school teachers on ZIKV Disease based from this study.